It’s rivalry week for area high school hoops. The two big-name, marquee matchups we all know about are happening.

But there’s also plenty more to take note of from last week and to look forward to for this week.

New Hanover's Nigel Holley will try and slow down Hoggard's Trevor Singleton on Tuesday.

–No rest for the weary. Hoggard’s big win against Ashley came down to the wire on Friday, but the Vikes don’t have much time to recover. They’re headed back to the grindstone against New Hanover. Just another example of a brutal schedule that Hoggard’s boys team has this season.

One thing the Vikings have done really well is manage pressure – Ashley turned up the heat defensively but only forced Hoggard into 14 turnovers. That’s the area that killed Hoggard last year against New Hanover.

The Vikings have shuffled the lineup to get more size involved in the past two weeks or so, and Austin Louthan and Christian Poveromo at guard have the size, strength and experience to

weather most pressure. New Hanover will likely try and test that.

–Be big. Another storyline to watch is Trevor Singleton vs. Nigel Holley. We’ve written about this before, but it’s unavoidable: There are three college-level forwards in Wilmington. That’s a depth of talent that we haven’t seen in a while, and it’s one reason that Ashley, Hoggard and New Hanover are all nip-and-tuck.

There’s been plenty written about Singleton’s dominance this season, but Holley has been a rock in the post for New Hanover. He’s averaging 11.3 points per game and 9.9 rebounds (2.7 offensive boards). He’s shooting 50 percent. And New Hanover is 3-1 in league play. He’s a traditional post player, and T.J. Williams was able to limit Singleton go 12 points (definitely a victor for Ashley). Holley will try and do the same – it’ll be a battle worth watching.

-The Havens factor. Ashley and Laney are also facing off on Tuesday night , and if there’s one thing that’s kryptonite for Laney, it’s Ashley. The Screaming Eagles have won four of the past five meetings with Laney (though the series is even since 2010-2011) and Ashley has been able to use size and athleticism to get and hold a small edge on Laney.

Defense is something both teams have in abundance, but Ashley’s Felicity Havens is another. She’s a sure-fire 16 points, and she throws Laney’s defensive game plan out of whack – Laney can defend her perfectly and she can still score. Havens is garnering attention from ACC schools. Odds are Laney will try and stop her, Ashley will try and get her the ball. I’m guessing, at least.

“That’s why she’s arguably one of the best players in the area and the state,” Ashley coach Adrienne Gale said. “That’s why she’s getting Division I looks from a lot of schools. She’s a dominant player. She wants the ball and she attacks the basket and she can shoot over the top of people.”

-Waccamaw madnes. But also in the works: The Waccamaw Conference boys race may well be decided in the next week. North Brunswick, Whiteville and West Brunswick will play in some combination (whenever West Brunswick at Whiteville reschedule their game). Given the up-and-down nature of the league, if one of those teams wins two or three games this week, it’ll go a long way towards solidifying the top of the conference.

-Bad luck, no luck. In the Tri-County Conference, there’s bad luck, no luck, and then there’s Trask’s boys team. The Titans are a whopping 0-7 in league play and 2-8 in games decided by six or fewer points. On Friday, the Titans face conference leader Wallace-Rose Hill, currently 8-0 in league play. Here’s the thing: Trask has come so close, so often, and the Titans have some exciting scorers in Rasheed Brown and Tyquan Davis. Wallace-Rose Hill has some serious offensive firepower of its own, but the Bulldogs tend to let other teams back into games – especially teams with offensive weapons. And hey, luck’s gotta turn around at some point, right?

The Vikes could beat Duke, and the Heat in the same night!
So thinks Basketball Expert, or did he say they would win conference? Laney is going to beat Hoggard at JTH.
Our whole conference sucks this season, we just happen to be the worst of the worst.
Hoggard isn’t good either sorry guys

About This Blog

Hey there, I’m Tim Howerand I’m the high school sports writer for the StarNews.

Originally from Pennsylvania, I move to Wilmington in 1995 and have been here ever since. I began working as a part time sports reporter with the StarNews when I was 16. When I’m not out covering games, I like to root for my favorite teams — Michigan, Phillies, Panthers — as well as play tennis. I also enjoy volunteering at my church, Pine Valley United Methodist.

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you have about our coverage of high school sports in Southeastern NC.